30th Kanto Special Olympics was opened on 23-24 May at Bong Field of Yokota Air Base, chairman Hirose and secretariat Bandoh participates in opening ceremony on behalf of JAAGA.
　　About 300 athletes in Kanto area were going to get together as average year, but 160 participated in because of swine influenza.　Kanto Special Olympic is 30th anniversary this year, so we felt so regret.
　　We heard that the first Kanto Olympics was carried out for three athletes who were students of DoD school in Japan and were not able to participate in Special Olympics in CONUS (continental of United States).　Report about 29th Olympics by secretariat Okamura shows the history of Special Olympics on this homepage.　Please see it.
　　Following events were carried out in opening ceremony.　Japan-U.S. national flag entrance and national anthem unison of both countries, opening speech by Col.Frank J.Eppich (chairman of this Olympics, vice commander of 374th Airlift Wing), congratulatory address by mayor of Fussa city, introduction of representatives of supporting organizations and presentation of memento and appreciation letter to them, athletes entrance supported by volunteers, taking oath on behalf of athletes as "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt", and lighting sacred fire.　Then competition begun.
　　We were very moved that we could see handicapped athletes playing game hard, and more than 1000 volunteers included 600 from Self Defense Forces supported Kanto Special Olympics this year.
　　When I worked at 5AF headquarters as liaison officer from 1992 to 1994, Yokota Officers Wives Club supported to Special Olympics and Mr.Kent Derricott (American famous TV personality in Japan) was grand master of this event, and then he excitely introduced the opening F-15s fly-bye performed by JASDF pilots.　Ｉ remember my old days in Yokota.　　 (reported by secretariat Bandoh)